Rebates & Programs in Canada
Bigger winter upgrades — insulation, heat pumps, new windows — cost real money, and in Canada there's often help available to bring the price down. Programs change from year to year, so treat this guide as a map of where to look, then confirm what's currently offered before you plan a project around it.
Where to look, in order
1. Your province's energy-efficiency program
Start here. Every province runs or partners on some form of energy-efficiency programming — rebates, low-interest financing, or free home evaluations — and the offerings differ widely by province. Search your provincial government's website for "energy efficiency rebates" or "home energy programs." This is usually where the biggest money is.
2. Your gas and electric utilities
Many Canadian utilities run their own rebate programs for customers: insulation top-ups, smart thermostats, air sealing, and high-efficiency heating equipment are common categories. Check both your electricity provider and your natural gas provider if you have one — they often run separate programs, and you may be able to combine them. Your utility's website, under "rebates" or "save energy," is the place to look.
3. Federal resources
Natural Resources Canada publishes information on federal energy-efficiency initiatives for homes, which have historically included grants tied to pre- and post-retrofit energy evaluations. Federal programs open, close, and change names over time, so check NRCan's current listings rather than relying on what a neighbor did two years ago.
4. Your municipality
Some cities and regions offer their own help — property-assessed financing for retrofits, local top-up rebates, or free energy coaching. These are easy to miss because they're small and local, so it's worth a quick search of your city or regional government's site.
What programs usually cover
While every program differs, the most commonly supported upgrades are:
- Insulation — attic, wall, and basement insulation top-ups.
- Air sealing — professional draft-proofing and weatherstripping.
- Heating equipment — cold-climate heat pumps and high-efficiency furnaces or boilers.
- Windows and doors — high-efficiency replacements.
- Smart thermostats — often a small standalone rebate.
- Energy evaluations — the before-and-after assessments many programs require.
How to avoid missing out
- Get the evaluation first. Many programs require a registered energy evaluation before any work starts. Do the retrofit first and you may disqualify yourself.
- Check eligibility before buying. Equipment usually has to meet specific efficiency ratings, and installers may need to be on an approved list. Confirm both before signing a contract.
- Keep every receipt. You'll need invoices showing equipment models, installation dates, and costs. Photograph or scan them the day you get them.
- Stack programs carefully. Federal, provincial, utility, and municipal money can sometimes be combined — but some programs reduce their payout if you've received other funding. Read the fine print or ask the program administrator.
- Watch the deadlines. Programs have funding caps and intake windows. If a program you want is open now, don't assume it will be open in six months.
The cheapest "program" of all
The free stuff in the other guides on this site — sealing drafts, setting the thermostat wisely, changing the filter — needs no application, no evaluation, and no waiting period. Do those this weekend while you research the bigger upgrades. Future you, reading a smaller heating bill in February, says thanks.